Hello! I'm finally free of the university (summer vacation!) so I decided to give you this new chapter. I hope you like it!

Day #1

"Ready?"

Naruto had his eyes narrowed, he could barely distinguish the person who interrupt his dream, in which he almost kissed Sakura. He detested staying in that part when he woke up. That caused him a lot of emotion and when he tried to sleep again the kiss never came. The next time he would buy soundproof earplugs, that way no one will ever interrupt him.

"Mmm?" He could barely make a sound with his closed mouth.

"Today is the day", said the girl with her arms on her waist. "I will help you to conquer the love of your life".

The boy started blinking more than usual, he tried to react.

"Ioh?" This time he tried to open his mouth and being more coherent with what he wanted to say.

"You tried to say my name?", said Ino.

He nodded slowly.

"Why do I bother?", she said looking at the ceiling with desperation. "Just take a bath. I'll be waiting in…"

She didn't think of a place to encounter Naruto without someone suspecting of her plans or worst, what if someone thought they were a couple? That would only get in the way between Sasuke and her, and it will be the perfect moment for Sakura to touch the heart of the ninja.

"Get out of your apartment when you are ready", she said. "I'll be waiting in the first floor".

Naruto nodded while yawning and closed the door with laziness.

Ino sighed and placed the palm of her hand in the forehead. It was eleven in the morning and the kid wasn't awake. If she wanted the plan to be perfect, she needed all his attention. Besides, she wouldn't use any subtlety with Sakura because she would notice the intentions of Naruto if she thought of Sasuke. It was obvious the kunoichi would be blind by the charms of the Uchiha.

"Ok", she said to no one.

When Ino took the stairs, she tried to dissimulate her awareness of the people's stares. They knew she didn't live in one of those apartments solely for a simple detail, the only ninja who lived there was Naruto.

Damn. Maybe they were suspecting.

Naruto took his everyday clothes, a black t-shirt and an orange capri pants. It wasn't his best coating, but he didn't have something else to wear. He didn't have a lot of economic income even if the Third gave him money occasionally.

He turned the faucet and started to take his bath. It was strange for him to do it so early in the morning. He was an irresponsible child, he was nearly always in a hurry or even late for any meeting. He didn't have time to get himself clean until late in the afternoon or at night.

What if Sakura wasn't attracted to me because of my smell?

He looked at the soap with concern. What if that also didn't smell good?

The ninja brought closer the soap to his nose and he barely felt a smell. That wasn't bad, but it wasn't roses.

What if…? Agh, but what am I thinking?!

Naruto threw the soap angrily. With the possibility of Sasuke being together with Sakura, in such a small time, made him felt frustrated. A lot.

I'm over reacting.

It took him a few minutes to be ready. He left his little home and when he reached the first floor he noticed an annoyed Ino. Supposedly, that way they will start the day, with such a great enthusiasm.

"Ready", said Naruto.

Ino raised an eyebrow.

"You will dress that simple?"

The blond understood that an unpleasant smell was a repellent for Sakura. He remembered that one time he didn't took a bath and Sakura told him he smelled horrible. Naruto didn't blame her, he smelled like rancid ramen. But now he smelled like neutral soap and he didn't need to worry. Nevertheless, a girl was telling him that clothes were important. So, what other aspects were important?

"Yes", said Naruto scratching the back of his neck. "What's wrong with that?"

The girl sighed.

"You need to impress a woman and the clothing is a really important factor to win a heart. Sasuke-kun uses blue clothing, and the way he walks is so… Ah!", she said that last part really happy.

"The girls notice all that?", said Naruto.

"Why do you ask that?", she said surprised. "Of course, we do!"

"I have never considered my clothes, because I don't bother about the clothes of the girls. That won't tell me if they are beautiful".

Naruto tried to remember if one single time he noticed Sakura's clothes. He knew she was a beauty, so, how could she look bad?

"Men don't care about the clothes?

The ninja shrugged.

"I only like a person and that's it", he said.

Ino frowned. If that was how a man thought, how many more have the same thinking? Was she worrying for nothing? At least everyone needed to thank her for combing her hair or no one would've wanted to look at her.

"Are you telling me that appearances don't matter to you?

Naruto narrowed his eyes and placed a hand over his chin.

"Sakura-chan has a nice hair, she walks with strength and she has a forehead that I would want to…"

It made Ino angry that Naruto could declare a girl was cute, it only made her wish that Sasuke was like that.

"You would like what?", said the kunoichi with her arms crossed.

"Nothing", said Naruto blushing". "Why don't we start the day?"

"Fine", she said irritated. "Hurry up!"

Immediately, she pushed Naruto in the back to make him walk.

"Hey! You don't need to push me!", said the kid surprised that Ino was strong enough for his wight. "I can walk by myself!"

Naruto got out of her way and he stared at Ino fixedly. He didn't understand girls, why would they hurt him without any reason?

"I will walk alone, 'ttebayo!"

Ino made an annoyed expression and she crossed her arms again.

"Ok, we'll go to Sakura's house".

The ninja didn't question his adviser. He just wanted to continue with the plan of that day and he hoped not having an embittered face in the encounter with Sakura.

"I want you to invite her to eat. I'll be hidden all day to see how everything is going".

"Only that?", said Naruto. "I thought you were a girl with a lot of experience in love".

"We want this to look normal, wasn't that your preoccupation?"

"You are right, but I thought I was going to receive more help, you know?", said Naruto. "You told me I had to change some aspects to attract Sakura, that was just minutes ago!

"Don't tell me how to do this".

The boy smiled with confidence. He didn't understand girls, but he knew how to rile someone. If she was irritating him, he would also do it.

"You are jealous of Sakura-chan, 'ttebayo".

He was right. She was jealous of her friend. It maddened her that Sakura had a lot of luck in everything. None of them had luck with Sasuke, but someone had already fall in love with her. Wasn't she beautiful enough? What was the formula to attract men? Ino had a long hair, she took care of her skin and she even trained to be a good kunoichi. What was a boy looking for in a girl? She deserved a man in love with her! And that needed to be Sasuke!

"And?!"

They were walking up the stairs, near Sakura's apartment, but that wasn't a problem for Naruto to keep irritating the blonde.

He smiled with malice.

"Do you like me?"

The eyes of Ino changed into white and a dark chakra surrounded her body. It was at that moment that Naruto knew he screwed up.

"No, idiot!" She extended her hand and slapped him. He now had a big red mark and his cheek was stinging.

"That wasn't necessary, dattebayo", he said discouraged. "It was a joke".

Ino looked at him angrily. She resisted to give him another smack.

"What are you doing here?"

The intruders turned around scared to see where the voice came from and there she was, Sakura Haruno. She had scruffy hair, ayes narrowed and with a forehead that said: "don't annoy me".

"Sorry, Sakura-chan!", said Naruto with his arms in front of his face, trying to protect it.

"I'm not in the mood to hit you", she said hoarsely.

Naruto scratched his nape nervously while he laughed.

The girl frowned and touched the door with force. Ino could perceive the obvious anger of her enemy and Naruto was still laughing. I looked as if he was mocking her and Sakura Haruno wouldn't tolerate it.

It made sense why Sakura considered him a great nuisance. They needed to communicate better or else misunderstandings will come up, because if both couldn't interpret the emotions or sentiments of the other one, it will be impossible to know how they feel. They should know each other better.

"Naruto wants to go out with you", said Ino and immediately the boy's mouth went wide open. He wanted to pull his hair in desperation and hide in the most recondite place because of the embarrassment. Supposedly, he was going to invite Sakura without any help. Now everyone will suspect of the plan.

The girl frowned.

"Is this a joke?"

"No, he's inviting you to eat umeboshi", she said without thinking twice.

Naruto wanted to speak, but if he did, maybe he could ruin the moment.

"Is he inviting me to eat plums? Or are you inviting me?"

The poor kid wanted to faint and forget what had just happened. His reputation will change from daring to fearful. But Ino knew what she was doing.

"Let's be honest", she smiled. "If you had seen Naruto, when you opened the door, you wouldn't have let him talk".

Sakura looked at her carefully. She was right, but that didn't tell why Ino was helping him. They barely talk.

"Ok, what's the trick? Why do you want me to go out with Naruto?"

The boy looked at the floor defeated. He didn't understand why he still had hope and that bored him. There were times he wished not to have it, that way he could avoid disappointments and a lot of problems, although, who would he be if he gave up? An ordinary kid.

Sakura sighed tired.

"Stop with the jokes".

"But…!"

"Just leave it, Ino".

She slowly started closing the door, but Naruto stopped her.

"Give me a chance, please".

Sakura could see his eyes were tearful. She was surprised, she had never seen him this vulnerable, even if she had seen that look in her. The girl had been in his place, every time she asked Sasuke to go out. In one occasion, he said she was a nuisance and that was the worst thing she ever heard… She always said that to Naruto, that he was a nuisance.

"Fine"

That was impossible.

"What?"

The cheeks of Sakura turned red.

"What you heard!", she said altered. Sakura couldn't believe she accepted to go out with him. Could Sasuke care about it? What could he think?

Naruto smiled widely, showing his sharp teeth. He wanted to pinch himself to prove it was reality.

"This will be as friends", she said ashamed. "We'll know each other better".

That statement didn't discourage Naruto, on the contrary, now he will know more about his love and he wouldn't be the annoying partner of team seven. Maybe the hits could decrease… ok, that's just wishing for a miracle.

"The date will be in the food stand Oishii, at five o clock, in the afternoon".

"Yes", he said still smiling. He did it so naturally that it didn't look strange. He even appeared to be relaxed despite his emotion. That relaxed Sakura a little bit. She had to remember that he was Naruto, she didn't need to be nervous.

"Like friends", she repeated with more confidence.

"Perfect, I'll be waiting with Naruto to confirm if you go", said Ino. "I won't allow you to leave him alone".

The Uzumaki looked at Ino with anger.

"She will never do it".

The girl was surprised by Naruto. He always looked the good side of people. He didn't need to because she didn't treat him with decency. He was the only one she hit.

"I won't do it, Ino", she said firmly.

Maybe she was the worst to Naruto, nevertheless, she wouldn't dare to leave him if she already accepted the date… well, the invitation. They will go out as friends and talk. That wasn't bad for her.

"Whatever", said the blonde trying to remove the tension. "Goodbye".

"Bye", said Naruto smiling.

"Bye", said Sakura and closed the door.